East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency: Candidates for 2019 LS poll, past results, all updates

May 11 (AZINS) East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency is witnessing arguably the most intense battle among the seven seats in Delhi. In traditional BJP stronghold, a strong AAP candidate is hoping to script a fairytale and a seasoned Congress politician is fighting to make his party relevant again in India's capital. BJP has dropped its incumbent MP Maheish Girri and nominated ex-cricketer Gautam Gambhir.

Gambhir, who has been involved with several charitable works even during his cricketing era is up against AAP's Oxford-educated candidate Atishi. Atishi who dropped Marlena from her title after controversy is credited to giving a massive facelift to Delhi's education system working with Deputy CM Manish Sisodia. Also in the fray is senior Congress leader Arvinder Singh Lovely who has decent clout in East Delhi.

However, the bickering between Atishi and Gambhir is what has increased the political decibel here. First, Atishi accused Gambhir of having two voter ID cards and said that his candidature will be cancelled. Later she has accused Gambhir of circulating obscene pamphlet where canards are printed about her. She also broke down while reacting about the pamphlet in a presser.  Gambhir has not only denied the allegation, but he has also filed a defamation case against Kejriwal, Sisodia, and Atishi. Sisodia too has filed defamation case against Gautam Gambhir.

In this high octane political war of words, the major issues faced by voters have somewhat gone to the backburner. East Delhi is a cosmopolitan constituency consisting of people from all economic strata. The major issues faced here are lack of development in unauthorised colonies, pollution etc. Like in some other parts of the city, uninterrupted water, proper sewage system are big demands of the people of this constituency. With BJP again raising the 1984 issue post Sam Pitroda's hua to hua remark, it remains to be seen how much that dents Arvinder Lovely's fortunes.

In the past, Congress has won the seat six times, HL Bhagat four times and Sandeep Dikshit twice. BJP has won the seat six times including Lal Bihari Tiwari's hat trick.  The assembly segments under East Delhi Lok Sabha segment fter 2008 delimitation are Jangpura, Okhla, Trilokpuri, Kondli, Patparganj, Laxmi Nagar, Vishwas Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Gandhi Nagar and Shahdara. With two newcomers and a consummate politician in the fray,  all bets are off in East Delhi and all eyes will be on 23rd May to see who finally emerged victorious.